$1.2 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.2 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Central Illinois, including $400,000 to Blackburn College in Carlinville for various infrastructure repairs to buildings and residential halls throughout the college campus.

These funds, along with $324,000 of local matching funds, will be used for structural and electrical upgrades and to eliminate an outdated septic system. The 911 telecommunications system will also be upgraded to install more extensions, allowing it to pinpoint the origin of emergency campus calls.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Vince Demuzio, D-Carlinville.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $254,000 to the Village of Royal Lakes to:
  • construct a community center;
  • make various renovations to the village hall and its parking lot; and
  • construct and furnish a playground and outdoor recreation area.
  
  All of these projects were initiated by Demuzio.

• $250,000 to the West Central Educational Television Consortium to pay for costs incurred by its educational public programming.

• $150,000 to the City of Nokomis to improve a portion of Pine Street between Warren and Franklin Streets to alleviate flooding problems.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield.

• $70,000 to the Northern Tazewell Fire Protection District to purchase new fire and rescue equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Keith P. Sommer, R-Mackinaw.

• $70,000 to the Mackinaw Fire Protection District to purchase fire and rescue vehicles. The district will contribute $30,000.
  This project was initiated by Sommer.

• $25,000 to the Village of Mechanicsburg to construct and equip a playground using volunteer labor.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield.

• $25,000 to the Jacksonville Theatre Guild to purchase new and used equipment, upgrade the sound and light systems and install a new curtain.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Tom Ryder, R-Jerseyville.

• $20,000 to Fondulac Township in East Peoria to apply a sealant to various roads throughout the township to protect and maintain the surfaces.
  This project was initiated by Sommer.

• $10,000 to the City of Marquette Heights to contract with a consultant to conduct topographic surveys, calculations and soil borings that will be used to produce preliminary designs in an effort to control surface erosion and flooding.
  This project was initiated by Sommer.